title: Knowledge, beliefs and preventive behaviors regarding Influenza A in students: a test of the health belief model.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The higher prevalence rate of influenza A among adolescence emphasizes the importance of preventative strategies among this age group of population. The aim of this study was to evaluate the preventive behaviors of high school students regarding type A influenza, in Shahrekord, Iran.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this cross-sectional study, 313 high school students were enrolled. Preventive behaviors of influenza A was evaluated by components of the Health Belief Model (HBM), using a questionnaire which its reliability was verified through a pilot study (alpha score 0.8). Data analysis was done by descriptive statistics, independent t-test and Pearson correlation coefficient.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean age of the students was 16.31 years. Knowledge, perceived severity and perceived barriers were in the modest level among the students. The highest scores were related to perceived susceptibility (75.4%) and perceived benefit (55.6%). Mass media was the main source of their information regarding influenza A.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Considering the findings of this study and the relation between HBM components and the preventive behaviors of students, it seems that using HBM could be useful in improving preventive behaviors of influenza A among the studied population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health education and Health promotion, School of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Arash
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Najimi
authors.forename: Parastoo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Golshiri
keywords: Health belief model; influenza A; preventive behaviors; student